HOWLAND — A Freeport musician, whose disappearance on Saturday from an outdoor party hosted by college students prompted a massive search, died as a result of suicide, authorities say.

The body of Dean Levasseur, 24, was found Wednesday morning, a couple hundred yards from the stage where his band had been set to perform Saturday night. He didn’t show up for the performance, though he had left his guitar there.

Levasseur died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to State Police spokesman Steve McCausland. Police say he used a handgun he had purchased earlier in the month.

Detectives believe Levasseur shot himself at about 1:30 a.m., about a quarter mile from the stage where he had been scheduled to perform.

Police held off categorizing the death until an autopsy by the State Medical Examiner this morning.

Friends planned to gather for a candlelight vigil tonight at the gazebo across from the Caribou Recreation Center, according to a Facebook page set up to organize the event. Organizers have received donations of candles and  flowers.

More than 100 people have said they plan to attend.


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